Bottle vs can: how do you prefer your Coca-Cola?

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Bottle vs can: how do you prefer your Coca-Cola?

Coca-Cola has come in many shapes and sizes over the last 130 years. The can became available in 1960, and the iconic glass Contour Bottle’s been around since 1915. But which do you prefer? And why? We did a mini poll* at Coca-Cola GB HQ and this is what we found…

New Coca-Cola Zero Sugar has been specially created to taste even more like Coca-Cola Classic but without the sugar. But would you notice a difference in taste drinking from a can rather than a bottle? With so many delicious drink options to choose from, we explore if packaging really makes a difference to the taste. So, when it comes to bottle vs can, which do you prefer - the can to grab on the go or the glass bottle for special occasions?

Our survey says…

It may come as no surprise that the glass bottle was our survey’s frontrunner in terms of overall preference. but you may wonder why so many people think their drink actually tastes better when poured from glass…

Among Coca-Cola drinkers, we found our respondents fall into 1 of 4 types:

Can Fans

The Glass Class

Plastic Fanatics

Brand Buffs

1. The Can Fan

Can-fans are die-hards and won’t be persuaded away from their can of Coca-Cola drink whether on the run, out for a day trip or enjoying an afternoon break. “I feel like a can is more of a treat,” said one Can Fan, who sees it as “a way to add some indulgence to an everyday moment”.

“I feel like a can is more of a treat”

The can fan thinks the aluminium makes the drink stay cooler for longer and enjoys the convenience that cans are always “readily available”.

Cans are the second preferred choice among those polled

35% of people think cans fit better into their bag

Almost 1 in 5 said they prefer the feel of a can in their hand

2. The Glass Class

The general consensus was that the iconic look and unmistakable feel of the glass Coca-Cola Contour Bottle reminds us of all things retro. Devotees in the Glass Class say they enjoy the “premium” and “luxurious” feeling they get from drinking from the glass bottle, and that buzz of nostalgia – as they’re reminded of holidays abroad or Christmas time. One person said: “It tastes so much better, especially when properly chilled.”

“Drinking from a glass bottle tastes so much better, especially when properly chilled”

79% of people say it’s because it tastes better. Read our FAQs to find out more about the perception of taste.

2. The Plastic-Fanatic

Barbeques, parties, family dinnertime – sharing a Coca-Cola drink with friends and family is one of the best ways to enjoy it and the main reason our respondents were backing the plastic bottle, saying larger bottles are easier to pour from.

Being able to pop the lid back on in between sips and carry your drink easily in your bag also ranks the 500ml plastic bottle a winner for some, making it easy to savour every sip.

62% of people polled say a Coca-Cola plastic bottle is better for sharing, finding it’s easier to pour from

More than a third think 500ml plastic bottles fit the easiest into their bag

1 in 5 people think a plastic bottle pours better

4. Brand Buffs

Some people are yet to be convinced that size or shape matters when it comes to Coca-Cola drinks. Brand buffs don’t notice any difference between glass or plastic in their hand, or whether it’s easier to pour from a bottle or a can. They just love Coca-Cola regardless!

28% of people think the packaging makes no difference to how their Coca-Cola drink is poured

1 in 5 people think all 3 fit well in your bag

12% of those polled think packaging makes no difference to the taste of their favourite Coca-Cola drink